Will Iran be the next “front” in the Global War on Terror? It has appeared that way for the past several years. In fact, the American government has been involved in the affairs of Iran for some time. A petition being circulated by the Solidarity Center states, “Iran has suffered greatly at the hands of the U.S. We recall the U.S. overthrew the democratically elected government of Dr. M. Mossadegh and returned the Shah to the Peacock Throne – ‘the proudest achievement of the CIA’. For 25 years the Shah ruled Iran with an iron fist for the benefit of U.S. oil corporations before the people of Iran, in the millions, overthrew his tyranny at a terrible cost in lives. For the past 27 years U.S. sanctions have impeded Iran’s right to development and brought great suffering to the people.“

Do not forget the rush to invade Iraq after the attacks on September 11, 2001. In October of 2002, President Bush said, “… we cannot wait for the final proof — the smoking gun — that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.”

“Now in the Obama Administration, we see reports that are all too similar being made to justify military action against the people of Iran.” The petition by the Solidarity Center continues, “[t]aking Iran to the UN Security Council is a prelude for unilateral action. Just as in the case of Iraq, none of the claims made by the U.S. government stand up to unbiased scrutiny.”

During the recent State of the Union address, President Obama seemed intent on continuing to involve the American government in Iran. He said, “[a]nd we will safeguard America’s own security against those who threaten our citizens, our friends, and our interests. Look at Iran. Through the power of our diplomacy, a world that was once divided about how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program now stands as one. The regime is more isolated than ever before; its leaders are faced with crippling sanctions, and as long as they shirk their responsibilities, this pressure will not relent. Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal.”

I urge you to make your voice heard. Let your friends, family, neighbors and elected officials know that you demand an end to the U.S. drive towards war with Iran; you demand an end to the U.S. campaign of lies, demonization, and sanctions directed at the people of Iran; and most importantly, let them know that you oppose any military attack on Iran.